Introduction to Theories and Models
When exploring personality type, it’s essential to recognize that there isn’t just one model to rule them all. This site highlights three major models (among others), each offering a unique lens into psychological type. Use the menu to dive deeper.
These models are not interchangeable or easily blended. Complexity is inevitable. Instead, begin by understanding the distinct rules and intentions behind each system.
Why Use Multiple Models?
Each model arises from a different psychological lineage, addressing unique aspects of the psyche. They may overlap in curious ways—but they’re not describing the same dimensions. Together, however, they give us a richer, more textured understanding of type.
Some will ask, “Isn’t one model complicated enough by itself?” A fair question—but one worth answering with a metaphor.
Understanding Through Metaphor
Imagine you want to measure your IQ. Here’s a test:
r(cos(t) + i sin(t)) * r'(cos(t') + i sin(t')) = r r'(cos(t+t') + i sin(t + t'))
Solve it in under 30 seconds? Your IQ is 100—genius level. Can’t solve it? Then what—you're unintelligent? That would be a narrow definition, wouldn’t it?
Broader Measures
Let’s add a second test:
What word rhymes with “orange”?
This taps into linguistic play and creativity—a very different domain. Combining this result with the first starts to build a more rounded picture.
Even Wider Perspectives
Let’s add a third:
Why did the chicken cross the road?
This probes humor, cultural meaning, maybe even irony or divergence. Again, it measures a very different intelligence. Averaging the three scores now yields something more human, more dimensional.
The Power of Triangulation
My friend Dario Nardi calls this method triangulation. Ancient navigators didn’t rely on one star—they used three points to determine their exact position. One model alone is not adequate to locate the full terrain of the psyche.
Yes, it’s more complex. But if we’re serious about honoring the nuance of psychological type, then we owe it that depth.
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Reading & Invaluable Resources
If you would like to know more about typology in general, here's some useful material.
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Newsletter/Blog - Dolphin Dive
This chronicles how one INFJ is moving through the world.
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